Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa representatives and French forces in Djibouti commemorate Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 2016, at the French base in Djibouti. During the ceremony, General Philippe Montocchio, commander of French forces in Djibouti, spoke about one of the strongest elements of the war, the men and women across Europe resisting against the invading enemy. V-E Day, observed annually in France, celebrates the victory in Europe, ending World War II, and became a national French holiday. Charles de Gaulle, who led the French forces during the war, declared the victory of the Allied Armies and the United Nations over Germany, May 8, 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa representatives and French forces in Djibouti commemorate Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 2016, at the French base in Djibouti. During the ceremony, General Philippe Montocchio, commander of French forces in Djibouti, spoke about one of the strongest elements of the war, the men and women across Europe resisting against the invading enemy. V-E Day, observed annually in France, celebrates the victory in Europe, ending World War II, and became a national French holiday. Charles de Gaulle, who led the French forces during the war, declared the victory of the Allied Armies and the United Nations over Germany, May 8, 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa representatives and French forces in Djibouti commemorate Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 2016, at the French base in Djibouti. During the ceremony, General Philippe Montocchio, commander of French forces in Djibouti, spoke about one of the strongest elements of the war, the men and women across Europe resisting against the invading enemy. V-E Day, observed annually in France, celebrates the victory in Europe, ending World War II, and became a national French holiday. Charles de Gaulle, who led the French forces during the war, declared the victory of the Allied Armies and the United Nations over Germany, May 8, 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa representatives and French forces in Djibouti commemorate Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 2016, at the French base in Djibouti. During the ceremony, General Philippe Montocchio, commander of French forces in Djibouti, spoke about one of the strongest elements of the war, the men and women across Europe resisting against the invading enemy. V-E Day, observed annually in France, celebrates the victory in Europe, ending World War II, and became a national French holiday. Charles de Gaulle, who led the French forces during the war, declared the victory of the Allied Armies and the United Nations over Germany, May 8, 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa representatives and French forces in Djibouti commemorate Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 2016, at the French base in Djibouti. During the ceremony, General Philippe Montocchio, commander of French forces in Djibouti, spoke about one of the strongest elements of the war, the men and women across Europe resisting against the invading enemy. V-E Day, observed annually in France, celebrates the victory in Europe, ending World War II, and became a national French holiday. Charles de Gaulle, who led the French forces during the war, declared the victory of the Allied Armies and the United Nations over Germany, May 8, 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

U.S. Army Spc. Zach Dean, left, and Jacob Currie, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, use a stick, bow and paper to make a fire during the French Desert Survival Course, May 5, 2016 at Arta Plage, Djibouti. During the course, U.S. forces also learned how to make fire from mundane items like batteries, flint, bullets and steel wool. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Charles Poole, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, holds a balance beam steady for a teammate during the French Desert Survival Course, May 6, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. All participants were required to cross two beams while ensuring a tire didn’t make contact with the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

U.S. Army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, carry a zodiac watercraft across a beach during a water crossing exercise May 5, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The soldiers were required to run the watercraft across a beach, paddle to a drowning victim, and run back and run back to the starting point. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

A U.S. Army soldier swings from a ledge to a rope ladder during the French Desert Survival Course, May 6, 2015, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The mountain obstacle course is the final test, requiring nearly every skill set learned in training, and must be completed in a strict 25-minute time limit to graduate the course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

U.S. Army Spc. Steven Saurimayo, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, climbs a rope obstacle during the French Desert Survival Course May 6, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The U.S. forces were required to complete the obstacle course, and then perform the same course in reverse while carrying a tire that could not make contact with the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

U.S. Army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, paddle a zodiac watercraft across a beach during a water crossing exercise May 5, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The soldiers completed the exercise as a team in less than 40 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

A U.S. Army soldier lifts barbed wire with his boot during the French Desert Survival Course, May 6, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The team of 10 soldiers were able to safely maneuver through a barbed wire field by lifting the barbs with their feet allowing the next soldier to move past. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Anthony Barnett, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, kneads dough to make bread during the French Desert Survival Course, May 5, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. During the course, U.S. forces also learned how to prepare tea and meat in austere environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton/Released)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Harris, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22 equipment operator, steers a vibratory roller to compress a mixture of wet sand and gravel to form a makeshift road May 2, 2016, at Chebelley, Djibouti. The construction battalion created the road to provide a safer route for military and civilians to travel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

Water is applied to a mixture of sand and gravel to create a solid surface with traction for vehicles to safely travel May 2, 2016, at Chebelley, Djibouti. The sand gravel is mixed together and then moistened with water to create a surface that can be compacted to form a road. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

U.S. Navy Sailors from the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22 spray sand and gravel with water and compress it with a roller during a road construction project May 2, 2016, at Chebelley, Djibouti. The one-mile construction project took approximately two months to complete. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Clark, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22 construction mechanic, signals for a dump truck to continue releasing a trail of sand and gravel during road construction May 2, 2016, at Chebelley, Djibouti. The mixture of sand is added to gravel allowing for it to be compressed into a makeshift road. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Clark, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22 construction mechanic, directs traffic during road construction May 2, 2016, at Chebelley, Djibouti. The sailors maintained control of the flow of traffic to ensure the safety of military personnel and traveling civilians. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

U.S. Sailors from the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22 use a grater to spread a mixture of sand and gravel in the first step of creating a makeshift road May 2, 2016, at Chebelley, Djibouti. The road creation process includes leveling the sand and gravel mixture, then applying water before compressing it with a vibratory roller. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Collin Scheffer, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, operates a grater to evenly spread gravel during a road construction project May 2, 2016, at Chebelley, Djibouti. The battalion created approximately 800 feet of road, eight hours a day for two months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, meets partner-nation service members during a change of command ceremony post-reception April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Service members, diplomats and multi-national guests attended the ceremony and met the new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, incoming Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, salutes during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Sonntag saluted the CJTF-HOA formation for the first time as the commanding general. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

(From the left) U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, U.S. Africa Command commanding general, Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, new Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, and Maj. General Mark Stammer, departing CJTF-HOA commanding general, cut a cake during a change of command ceremony post-reception April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Service members, diplomats and multi-national guests attended the ceremony and met the new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen stand in formation during the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The formation represented the joint services that U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, CJTF-HOA commander, will be responsible for after assuming command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

U.S. Army Chaplain Capt. J. Travis Moger, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa director of religious affairs, gives an invocation at the beginning of the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag assumed command of CJTF-HOA after serving as commanding general for the Special Operations Command South at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

U.S. military members stand in a color guard formation during a change of command ceremony for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The ceremony officially transferred command of the task force from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer to U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa salute while the U.S. and Djiboutian national anthems play during the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag assumed command of CJTF-HOA from previous commander Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, incoming Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks at a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Sonntag is now in command of CJTF-HOA and responsible for its impact on the East African region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stand at attention as responsibilities of the unit are transferred to a new commander during the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The ceremony also featured a transfer of responsibility during which U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Geoffrey P. Steffee assumed the role of CTJF-HOA command senior enlisted leader from U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Butler Kendrick Jr. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, U.S. Africa Command commanding general, passes the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa flag to Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The passing of the flag signified the change of command from Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer to Sonntag, as the CJTF-HOA commanding general. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s senior leadership prepare to transfer command and responsibility of the unit from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, CJTF-HOA outgoing commander, to Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Passing of the flag during a change of command is a military tradition that symbolizes the passing of responsibility from the old commander to the new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, departing Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks at a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Stammer arrived at CJTF-HOA a year ago and will now be the deputy commander of the I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa outgoing commander, gives his final remarks about his time as commander of CJTF-HOA during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Stammer served for one year as the commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stand at attention as responsibilities of the unit are transferred to a new commander during the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The ceremony also featured a transfer of responsibility during which U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Geoffrey P. Steffee assumed the role of CTJF-HOA command senior enlisted leader from U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj Butler Kendrick Jr. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

Service members, diplomats and multi-national guests applaud during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Sonntag is now in command of CJTF-HOA and responsible for its impact on the East African region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

CJTF-HOA Commanding General Biography

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, awards U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Butler Kendrick Jr., CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader, the Defense Superior Service Medal at his farewell awards ceremony March 27, 2016. Butler has been the command senior enlisted leader since June. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Butler Kendrick Jr., Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader, receives the Defense Superior Service Medal at his farewell awards ceremony March 27, 2016. During the ceremony, Kendrick said farewell to colleagues and staff members before heading back to the U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

U.S. Army Gen. David Rodriguez, U.S. Africa Command commanding general awards U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, the Defense Superior Service Medal at his farewell awards ceremony April 12, 2016. Stammer's next assignment will be at I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

U.S. Army Gen. David Rodriguez, U.S. Africa Command commanding general, awards U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, the Defense Superior Service Medal at his farewell awards ceremony April 12, 2016. Stammer received the medal for his service at CJTF-HOA over the past year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)